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Brian Wheeler

Overview​

Brian Wheeler is the Principal of St. Teresa Catholic School in Austin, Texas, with over 30 years in education and 21 years as a Catholic school principal. A deeply committed Catholic educator who founded a small Catholic school in Ecuador, he brings entrepreneurial spirit and authentic Catholic identity focus to his leadership. Married with six children (ages 11-27), he experienced a reversion to the faith in his late 20s and views education as ministry.

Professional Background​

Current Role​

  • Principal, St. Teresa Catholic School (Austin, Texas)
    • Manages PK-8 school of approximately 360 students (expecting 380-400 next year)
    • Reports to Father Larry as part of three-person leadership team with Chris Treadaway and Chase Crouse
    • Strong advocate for authentic Catholic identity balanced with academic excellence
    • Two of his own children currently attend; two are graduates

Previous Experience​

  • Over 30 years in Catholic education
  • 21 years as Catholic school principal across multiple schools
  • Founder, Holy Cross Academy (Ecuador)
    • Started school in a rented house with 12-20 students
    • Operated for six years with 33 graduates
    • Experience demonstrates entrepreneurial capacity and willingness to build from scratch
  • Attended Notre Dame workshop (2012) on history of Catholic schools in America

Education​

  • Deep knowledge of Catholic education history in the United States
  • Familiar with Elizabeth Ann Seaton's founding of first Catholic school
  • Understanding of TCCB (Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops) accreditation process

Personal Background​

  • Family: Married, six children ranging from 11 to 27 years old
  • Faith Journey: Cradle Catholic who drifted, experienced reversion in late 20s
  • Location: Lives about two blocks from St. Teresa campus, walks to work
  • Wife: Colombian
  • Language: Speaks Spanish (worked in Ecuador for years)

Key Projects & Interests​

Catholic School Innovation​

  • Open to reimagining Catholic education with AI integration
  • Interested in gifted and talented programs (a gap at most Catholic schools)
  • Values subsidiarity in Catholic schools - local decision-making advantage
  • Wants to create model that can be shared with other schools globally

Holy Cross Academy Legacy​

  • Started school on advice of mentor who said "just do it"
  • Maintains Facebook connections with former students
  • Received unsolicited testimonial from former student (now helicopter rescue pilot) about life impact
  • Sees relational impact as true measure of educational success

Current School Challenges​

  • Balancing academic excellence with authentic Catholic identity
  • Space constraints (gym doubles as cafeteria)
  • Need for gifted and talented programming for high-achieving students
  • Differentiating from public schools without their budget largesse

Philosophy & Insights​

On Catholic Education​

  • "One of our key goals is how do we make AI in Catholic schools something that is achievable for all Catholic schools, all levels, for all students, all socioeconomic backgrounds."
  • Values Catholic identity as primary, not secondary to academics
  • Sees historical pattern of Catholic schools drifting toward "private school" mentality at expense of Catholic formation

On Life Purpose​

  • "I don't see retirement as an option... because I love what I do"
  • Views education as vocation and ministry
  • Wants to "do something that changes the world"
  • "That's why I'm in education. That's the real payoff to me" (referring to relational impact)

On Divine Providence​

  • "I don't think there are accidents. I don't think things are coincidental."
  • "God works, right? If we allow him to work through us, he does."
  • Sees current convergence of people and opportunities as divinely orchestrated

On Continuous Growth​

  • At 61, still sees himself in "continual process of renewal"
  • "Life is continual. It doesn't matter what age you are."

Interaction History​

2025-12-17: First Meeting at St. Teresa Catholic School​

Context: Gary visited St. Teresa campus; met Brian in school administrative offices along with Chris Treadaway and Chase Crouse.

Key Topics Discussed:

  1. History of Catholic education in America (1860s peak with 6.5M students, now under 2M)
  2. Brian's founding of Holy Cross Academy in Ecuador
  3. Vision for AI-integrated Catholic education pilot program
  4. Gifted and talented programming gap in Catholic schools
  5. Gary's spiritual journey and potential conversion to Catholicism

Brian's Background Shared:

  • Ecuador school founding story and mentorship from larger school founder
  • Reversion to Catholicism in late 20s
  • Six children, two currently at St. Teresa
  • 30+ years in Catholic education

Enthusiasm for Collaboration:

  • "I'm ready to clear my desk of every other project"
  • Offered to be education credibility partner ("without an educator on board, there's going to be skepticism")
  • Proposed presenting at NCA (National Catholic Educational Association) conference in 18 months
  • Sees Gary as someone with divine purpose: "I feel a divine current right now in all of this"

Notable Quotes:

  • "I seriously, I'm putting dual language on the side, Chris. It's going to fade away."
  • "I hope we do something that changes the world"
  • "Got goosebumps thinking about the idea that God might be revitalizing me for another purpose"

Relationship Dynamic:

  • Immediate rapport and trust
  • Complementary skills: Brian brings education credibility, Gary brings tech/vision
  • Both recognize need for Chris Treadaway's operational/business skills

Strategic Value​

  • ChristoFuture Prep Credibility: Brian's 30+ years as a Catholic school principal provides essential educational credibility for launching a spirit-filled K-8 microschool. His experience founding a school in Ecuador demonstrates ability to build from scratch
  • Regulatory Pathway: Direct relationships with Austin Diocese Superintendent and TCCB approval process creates pathway for official Catholic school recognition and accreditation for ChristoFuture Prep
  • Daily Spirit Content Partner: His deep knowledge of Catholic education history and authentic faith formation could provide content for Christian media ministry, including stories of educational transformation and Catholic identity preservation
  • San Antonio Expansion: While based in Austin, his connections throughout Texas Catholic education network could facilitate ChristoFuture Prep expansion to San Antonio market

Previous Collaboration Assessment​

What Brian Brings​

  • 30+ years Catholic education credibility and principal experience
  • Direct relationship with supportive superintendent (Misty Pote)
  • Access to TCCB approval process
  • Network of Catholic school principals
  • Experience founding a school from scratch
  • Willingness to take risks and innovate
  • Two children as potential pilot participants

Potential Collaboration​

  1. St. Teresa AI Pilot Program

    • Gifted and talented track for 7th-8th graders
    • Entrepreneurial/project-based learning integrated with church operations
    • Brian identifies high-potential students; Gary provides tech/methodology

  2. National Catholic Education Movement

    • Present at NCA conference
    • Develop replicable model for Catholic schools
    • Address gifted/talented gap across diocese

  3. Consulting Business

    • Brian brings educator credibility to sales conversations
    • Could advise Catholic schools wanting to innovate

Connections & Network​

  • Father Larry: Pastor at St. Teresa, supportive of innovation
  • Misty Pote: Austin Diocese Superintendent, "extremely supportive"
  • Chris Treadaway: COO at St. Teresa, business/operations partner
  • Chase Crouse: Parish evangelization leader, tech entrepreneur
  • TCCB Education Department: Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops
  • Holy Cross Academy alumni: 33 graduates in Ecuador

Notes & Observations​

Personality Traits:

  • Builder mentality - founded school in Ecuador with minimal resources
  • Deeply relational - measures success by impact on students' lives
  • Humble about technology knowledge but eager to learn
  • Emotionally expressive ("got goosebumps")
  • Action-oriented ("I'm ready to clear my desk")

Communication Style:

  • Storytelling approach - shares personal experiences to make points
  • Thoughtful and reflective
  • Generous with time and attention
  • Direct about his limitations (tech knowledge)

Trust Level:

  • High - immediate openness about personal faith journey
  • Willing to put own children in pilot program
  • Ready to deprioritize other projects

Values Alignment:

  • Strong - authentic Catholic identity, impact over money, building for long-term
  • Sees education as ministry, not just job
  • Committed to making innovation accessible to all Catholic schools, not just wealthy ones

Transcripts​

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2025-12-17-st-teresa-catholic-school-visit2025-12-17First meeting at St. Teresa discussing AI-integrated Catholic education vision